Legionnaires’ Disease in Office Buildings and Commercial Properties: Can You Sue a Building Owner in New York?

Holding Negligent Commercial Property Owners Accountable for Legionnaires’ Disease

Millions of New Yorkers spend much of their day inside office buildings, corporate headquarters, government facilities, and other commercial properties. While these buildings are expected to provide a safe environment for employees and visitors, poorly maintained water systems can become breeding grounds for Legionella bacteria, exposing occupants to Legionnaires’ disease, a severe and potentially life-threatening form of bacterial pneumonia. Modern office buildings rely on complex plumbing systems, cooling towers, water storage tanks, cafeterias, fitness centers, decorative fountains, and other water features that require ongoing inspection and maintenance. When property owners or contractors fail to monitor and maintain these systems properly, preventable exposure can occur, leaving victims with serious medical complications and significant financial losses.

If you or a loved one developed Legionnaires’ disease after exposure in an office building or commercial property, Greenstein & Pittari, LLP is prepared to investigate your claim, preserve critical evidence, and pursue every responsible party. Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a free consultation. There is no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get Legionnaires’ disease from an office building?

Yes. Office buildings contain numerous water systems capable of supporting Legionella growth when they are not properly maintained. Potential sources include cooling towers, plumbing systems, employee showers, restroom faucets, decorative fountains, cafeteria plumbing, hot water systems, fitness center showers, humidification systems, and water storage tanks. Employees, visitors, contractors, vendors, and clients may all be exposed when contaminated water becomes aerosolized and is inhaled.

Why are commercial buildings susceptible to Legionella growth?

Large commercial properties often have extensive plumbing and mechanical systems that serve hundreds or thousands of occupants. Aging infrastructure, water stagnation, warm water temperatures, corrosion, biofilm, scale buildup, infrequently used fixtures, and vacant office space can all contribute to the growth of Legionella bacteria. Cooling towers present a particular concern because improperly maintained systems have been linked to some of the largest Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks and may expose people both inside and outside the building.

Who is most at risk for severe illness?

Although anyone exposed to Legionella bacteria can become ill, adults over 50, smokers, individuals with chronic lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease, weakened immune systems, cancer, organ transplants, or those taking immunosuppressive medications are generally at the highest risk of developing severe complications. Anyone experiencing pneumonia-like symptoms following possible exposure should seek immediate medical attention.

Can a building owner be held liable?

Possibly. Commercial building owners and other responsible parties may be legally liable if negligent maintenance allowed Legionella bacteria to develop and caused your illness. Successful claims generally require evidence that the defendant owed a duty of care, failed to reasonably maintain the building’s water system, that exposure occurred at or near the property, and that the exposure caused your injuries. Depending on the circumstances, liability may extend beyond the owner to property management companies, commercial landlords, maintenance contractors, plumbing contractors, engineering consultants, cooling tower service providers, and water treatment companies.

What evidence is important in a commercial building case?

Legionnaires’ disease litigation often depends on detailed technical documentation. Key evidence may include water management plans, cooling tower inspection reports, maintenance logs, water treatment records, Legionella testing, environmental sampling, Department of Health investigations, engineering reports, contractor agreements, repair records, employee complaints, and building maintenance schedules. Our attorneys move quickly to preserve this evidence before repairs or remediation efforts alter the conditions that existed when the exposure occurred.

What compensation may be available?

Victims may be entitled to compensation for emergency medical care, hospitalization, respiratory therapy, rehabilitation, future medical treatment, lost wages, lost bonuses or commissions, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent respiratory impairment, and reduced quality of life. If Legionnaires’ disease results in the death of a loved one, surviving family members may also have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under New York law.

What if multiple people become sick in the same building?

When multiple employees or visitors develop Legionnaires’ disease associated with a single commercial property, public health authorities may investigate whether a common environmental source exists. These investigations often include water sampling, cooling tower inspections, maintenance record reviews, engineering evaluations, and interviews with affected individuals. Although multiple illnesses may strengthen evidence of a common exposure source, each victim must still establish that the exposure caused their individual injuries and damages.

How much does it cost to hire Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?

Greenstein & Pittari handles Legionnaires’ disease cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront attorney’s fees, and you owe nothing unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. We also offer free consultations to help you understand your legal rights without financial risk.

Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?

Commercial property Legionnaires’ disease litigation requires experience with infectious disease medicine, environmental engineering, building operations, and New York premises liability law. Greenstein & Pittari, LLP works with respected medical, engineering, and environmental experts to identify the source of exposure, preserve critical evidence, and hold negligent property owners and contractors accountable.

Whether your exposure occurred in an office building in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester County, or elsewhere in New York, we provide free consultations, bilingual legal services, personalized representation, and trial-ready advocacy focused exclusively on personal injury litigation.

If you or someone you love contracted Legionnaires’ disease after exposure in an office building or commercial property, call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) today for a free consultation.

Don’t Be a Victim Twice.